The shakeup continued at Louisiana State Police (LSP) Friday afternoon with the reduction in rank of former Superintendent Mike Edmonson’s top aid and heir-apparent and the promotion and reassignment of two others, according to the email below that was sent out to all LSP personnel:

Major Frank Ducote transferred and reassigned as Major, Command Inspector, Patrol Operations/Region I

Authority of: Colonel Kevin Reeves, Superintendent

In another development, LouisianaVoice has learned that Lt. Stephen Lafargue has resigned his position as trustee for the Louisiana State Police Retirement System. He was considered one of six Edmonson supporters on the board which will take up Edmonson’s retirement later in April.

Dupuy, once the odds-on favorite to eventually move into Edmonson’s position, was implicated in that October trip to San Diego by Edmonson and 16 subordinates to see Edmonson receive a national award. The four who drove to San Diego via Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon did so in the state vehicle assigned to Dupuy.

Maj. Noel, who previously served as a command inspector for the Gaming Division, will take over as lieutenant colonel in the position of Interim Assistant Superintendent and Interim Chief of Staff to Col. Kevin Reeves who assumed Edmonson’s duties last Saturday.

Noel, a veteran of 27 years with LSP was earning $140,900 as a major but will receive a significant pay increase to $161,300 as lieutenant colonel as he takes over the day-to-day operations of LSP.

Those at LSP who are familiar with Noel told LouisianaVoice he was a good choice for the position. “He’s an excellent choice,” said one trooper who asked not to be identified. “He’s even-handed and has a great disposition. Col. Reeves couldn’t have picked a better person for the job.

Ducote’s reassignment to the position previously held by Reeves was described as a lateral transfer. He presently earns $140,900.

Dupuy, on the other hand, will realize a significant reduction in pay to $140,900 from his current level of $161,300 as he returns to the position he held at the State Police Training Academy before being tapped by Edmonson as his chief of staff.

It may not be the last change at LSP as Reeves settles into his position One State Police insider said the transfer of Dupuy could signal that the Reeves appointment by Gov. John Bel Edwards and the Noel appointment are permanent instead of interim and that more demotions, transfers and retirements could be in the offing.

Others who might yet be transferred to other positions include Master Trooper Thurman Miller, Lt. Col. Jason Starnes who now presides over the Management and Finance Section, and Trooper T.J. Doss who currently serves as the State Trooper representative and as chairman of the Louisiana State Police Commission. Doss has been considered by some as Edmonson’s plant on the commission. Doss, from Ruston, has been TDY’d (assigned temporary duty) to Baton Rouge and presently resides at the State Police Academy.

The shakeup at LSP has been a long time coming as the agency has been buffeted by one damaging story after another—all reflecting on Edmonson’s leadership and administration of some 1,500 troopers statewide.

The San Diego trip was the tipping point as Edwards seemed determined to stick by his decision to reappoint Edmonson following his election in 2015 despite the controversy swirling around LSP. Edmonson had the support of the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association which had endorsed Edwards in his runoff against former Sen. David Vitter.

Even before the San Diego trip, there were disciplinary problems, illegal campaign contributions and other issues that proved to be a source of constant embarrassment to the governor.

LSP is currently under investigation by the Division of Administration, the Legislative Auditor’s Office, and the FBI, all of which eventually forced Edwards to make the decision to allow Edmonson to announce his retirement, which took effect March 24.

When Edwards appointed Reeves to succeed Edmonson, there was speculation within the department that Edwards had prevailed upon Reeves to retain Dupuy as chief of staff to mollify the sheriffs but with Dupuy’s demotion and transfer, that now appears not to have been the case.

LSP public information officer Maj. Doug Cain said Reeves has had a busy first week in his new leadership role. “He’s been meeting with (Department of Public Safety) unit heads and senior staff within LSP in an effort to communicate his agenda for the department.”

Maybe it’s just us, but it seems a lot of meetings weren’t necessary to know there is a real problem at LSP. But the first step in resolving problems is to first acknowledge them.

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14 Responses

Kudos to the governor for not only making a good pick to lead LSP but for allowing him to run his shop and start to unravel and deal with 9 years of arrogance, nepotism, favoritism and corruption. Hopefully he will continue to support Col. Reeves and not mandate that he become a flunky of the Sheriffs’ Assn. Morale at LSP has gone from an all time low to high in one week’s time. There is still yet a lot of housecleaning to be done—Not only at LSP but also at Corrections and the State Fire Marshal’s office.

First of all, it’s Dupuy, not Duppy. Second, Lt. Col. positions are all temporary and those holding the title are subject to being reassigned to their old positions, which is what happened. And yes, he does have his salary reduced accordingly.

Finally, have you been reading these stories? the side trip was NOT paid for out of pocket. Those men charged overtime (12 hours for a 250-mile trip). They were on the payroll the entire time and state funds were used for hotels, gasoline and meals. Where have you been? This has been all over the news. 13 were flown. These 4 took the vehicle so they would have ground transportation in San Diego.

Go back and read the stories. You’re addressing issues you obviously have no knowledge of.

Another thing.
Good gosh thats some high salaries
For maj’s lt col and commander. How does this compare nationally. Just seems overly high.
Plus id like to see a pay list of all positions at lsp from rookie to top man.

These salaries got boosted almost 2 years ago. As I have heard through the good grapevine, Edmonson got a pay hike for all road Troopers because he knew “HE” would benefit. If he wouldn’t have benefitted then he wouldn’t have pushed it through at the very last minute. I think all the LACE citations need to be looked into as well. Some have been suspended (Troopers) for falsifying times on citations to make it look like they worked more hours than actually worked. I mean if you get paid for 12 hours you should work all 12 hours not just write 24 citations and go to the house!

Not to rain on the parade, but with only a little digging, Louisiana Voice can find dirt on the new crowned head of State Police. Many years ago, in a State Police Troop Office, I heard with my on ears, then Tpr. Kevin Reeves, on several occasions brag about sexual encounters with women while on duty both in, and out of his patrol car. Sure, he was a young trooper, and that has been a long time ago now. My only point here being, how can a man that has himself violated State Police Policy that was at a level of violation for grounds of termination, punish troopers who have committed lessor violations than himself?

As far as an administrator, I think he will do a fine job, but an alter boy he’s not.

I find your disparaging remarks relative to the past actions of the new colonel to be despicable. I feel sure you are not without sin as none of us are but I find your attempt to tarnish this man before he is allowed to really begin his job to be contemptible.

Dear Smoking Gun, if you disqualified every trooper that may have had an such an indiscretion, I promise you your pool of candidates would be close to nil. I am the most notable malefactor. I do not dispute this fact nor do I relish in it. It cost me everything. Before you tarnish a man’s reputation through rumor or innuendo, you really need to have specifics. I have worked with then Trooper Reeves and know nothing to remotely support your “shot-from-the-hip claim.” Colonel Reeves is a true statesman. A leader with God-given talent, wisdom, and compassion. He doesn’t go by the book in all cases but rather by the heart when compassion is warranted. Instead of trying to throw ants on the man, why don’t you sit back and give him a chance, if pious men such as you will allow him to do so.

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